Galatians 5:3 kjv
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Galatians 5:3 nkjv
And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
Galatians 5:3 niv
Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
Galatians 5:3 esv
I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
Galatians 5:3 nlt
I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses.
Galatians 5 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 5:2 | ...I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision... | Warning against mixing Law and Grace |
| Galatians 5:4 | You are estranged from Christ, you who would be justified by law... | Consequence of seeking justification by Law |
| Acts 15:1, 5, 24 | Disputes over requiring Gentiles to be circumcised and obey the Law. | Judaizing controversy |
| Romans 2:25 | Circumcision is of no value if you do not obey the Law. | Circumcision's true meaning |
| Romans 6:1-2 | Does not the Spirit free us to sin? Certainly not. | Freedom in Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 7:19 | Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping God's commandments is what matters. | The true significance of external signs |
| Deuteronomy 27:26 | Cursed is everyone who does not keep all the words of this law by doing them. | The entirety of the Law |
| Deuteronomy 28:58-59 | If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law... | Blessing and cursing |
| Joshua 1:8 | ...then you will prosper and succeed. | Obedience brings success |
| Matthew 5:19 | Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven... | Importance of obeying all Law |
| John 8:31-32 | If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. | Freedom through truth |
| James 2:10 | For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. | The unbroken nature of Law |
| Exodus 12:48-49 | ...but all his males must be circumcised to celebrate the Passover. | Passover requirements |
| Leviticus 12:3 | ...and on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. | Circumcision requirement |
| Genesis 17:10-14 | This is my covenant... every male among you shall be circumcised. | Abrahamic covenant |
| Jeremiah 4:4 | ...lest my wrath go forth like fire because of the evil of your doings. | Consequences of disobedience |
| Malachi 4:4-6 | Remember the law of my servant Moses... before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. | Preparation for the Day of the Lord |
| Acts 16:3 | ...and then circumcised him, because the Jews who were in that locality knew that Paul's father was a Greek. | Paul circumcising Timothy |
| Romans 7:12 | So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. | The Law's nature |
| Colossians 2:11 | In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made by hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. | Spiritual circumcision |
Galatians 5 verses
Galatians 5 3 Meaning
Any person who has been circumcised must obey the entire Law.
Galatians 5 3 Context
This verse appears in Galatians chapter 5, a pivotal chapter where Paul contrasts life under the Law with life in Christ through faith. Paul is addressing the issue of Judaizers, who were teaching Gentile believers that they must be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. Paul's argument is that accepting circumcision signifies a commitment to the entire Law of Moses, which effectively rejects the grace offered in Christ for salvation. He's warning against any attempt to find righteousness through legalistic observance, emphasizing that this path leads away from the freedom and sufficiency of Christ's finished work.
Galatians 5 3 Word analysis
"But" (Greek:
de): A conjunction that introduces a contrast. It sets up this verse as a direct counterpoint to the previous one, highlighting a critical stipulation."I testify" (Greek:
martyromai): Means "I bear witness," "I testify," or "I give evidence." It's a strong affirmation, suggesting Paul is calling on God or the truth itself to witness his statement. It carries a sense of personal conviction and solemnity."again" (Greek:
ekperissos): Means "exceedingly," "abundantly," "more than enough," or "again and again." Here it emphasizes the intensity or repetition of his warning; he feels it necessary to stress this point emphatically."to every man" (Greek:
panti anthropo): Literally "to all men" or "to every man." It underscores the universality of the principle Paul is stating, applying to anyone who embraces this path."who" (Greek:
hos): A relative pronoun referring back to "every man.""is circumcised" (Greek:
peritmetamenos): The passive participle ofperitomo, meaning "to cut around." In its historical context, it refers to the physical act of circumcision prescribed in the Mosaic Law (Gen 17:10-14). Paul uses it here as a representative act signifying submission to the Law."a debtor" (Greek:
opheiletes): One who owes a debt; one bound or obliged. It signifies being obligated to fulfill something."to keep" (Greek:
poiesai): To do, make, perform. In the context of law, it means to obey or carry out."the whole" (Greek:
holos): All, entire, complete. It emphasizes the totality of the Law."law" (Greek:
nomos): The Law, typically referring to the Mosaic Law given through Moses."acceptance of circumcision implies obligation to the entire Law": Paul links the physical act of circumcision to a broader commitment to obey all of the Mosaic Law.
"out from Christ" / "estranged from Christ": If one seeks justification through the Law, they are placing themselves outside the sphere of Christ's saving work and grace.
Galatians 5 3 Bonus section
The Galatian heresy Paul combats is often referred to as "Judaizing," where some were adding requirements of the Mosaic Law to faith in Christ for salvation. This misunderstands the nature of the Law and the work of Christ. The Law reveals sin and exposes our inability to save ourselves (Rom 3:20, Gal 3:10), while Christ's sacrifice perfectly atones for sin and secures our righteousness (Rom 3:22-26). The concept of "spiritual circumcision" in the New Testament, mentioned by Paul in Colossians 2:11, refers to the internal work of the Holy Spirit in putting off the sinful nature, a reality that external ritual can no longer convey in the age of Christ. Paul’s stern warning in Galatians 5:3 serves to highlight the absolute necessity of grace received through faith alone, apart from works of the Law, for salvation.
Galatians 5 3 Commentary
To be circumcised in Paul's context is to formally submit oneself to the covenantal requirements of the Old Testament Law, specifically as a means of attaining righteousness before God. By doing so, the individual binds themselves to fulfill every single commandment within that Law. The consequence of failing even one part of the Law, as James states, makes one guilty of breaking the entire Law. Therefore, any attempt to be justified by the Law, beginning with an act like circumcision, severs one from the grace of Christ. True freedom and righteousness are found not in legal observance, but in faith in Jesus Christ, which results in the inner transformation by the Holy Spirit, as described by spiritual circumcision (Col 2:11).
- Practical implication: Seeking to be a "good person" through good deeds to earn God's favor is essentially putting oneself under the Law, thereby renouncing the freedom Christ offers.